More Christmas decorations to come down

Today, the girls and I went to Charlotte to help take my parent's Christmas decorations down. We had a good bit of fun trying to take the tree the apart. I'm not sure what happened, but the bottom two pieces would not come apart. Dad had a few laughs watching us trying to get things back into boxes; I'll just say next year will be interesting when we pull it all out again.

I also cut my Dad's hair for the first time today. He has decided to keep it short and I like it. I told him I'll try to remember to bring the hair clippers up when I go up. Just to keep it "fresh". lol

The girls have spent the last few days working on some, interestingly awesome, LEGO creations.



Jesse's Theater

 

They are performing "The Lion King".

Every theater needs a concession stand!

Chloe's "Redneck Community Center"



Chloe's "Redneck Community Center" - a pool table

Chloe's "Redneck Community Center" - bon fire

Chloe's "Town of Awesome" - the Dept. Store

 

Chloe's "Town of Awesome" - the dog park

Chloe's "Town of Awesome" - the library

This is a video of Jesse's Garage. I thought she did a great job; she is far more creative than I ever was. I suppose she gets it from her Dad.

So, now you will understand why our living room currently looks like this:

My hope is by this time tomorrow it will be clean again.

What a find!!!

We went to do a bit of shopping yesterday. Not really to look for "after Christmas deals", but to get a few things we needed. We found ourselves at Target. Go figure! We were walking past the college football stuff when I saw a small, stuffed Clarice (from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer). She came home with me and I immediately placed her on our tree.

Today, we went back out. Yesterday at Target, we wound up getting cold things so we couldn't go to Lowe's to get what we needed there. Today, we started at Lowe's. Chloe picked out a new stocking...camo! lol  I found a stocking too. It is blue with Rudolph, Bumble, Hermie and Santa and it sings! By next Christmas I will have forgotten all about it, so it will make me happier when I see it.

We also went to Target, because we forgot tissues. And if you know me and my allergies you know we need them. We were wondering through the Christmas section (John wanted some smoked cheese) when I found Rudolph to match the Clarice I found yesterday. SCORE! Now, they are both on the tree.

Christmas 2014

I'll say this first, this is my third post today. I had two drafts not posted in hopes of going back to add photos. I gave up on that aspect and just posted them. Now, on to today.

Yesterday we celebrated with my parents in Charlotte. We had a good visit. I was hoping to cut back on the food a bit, but Dad got the cooking bug. We had so much food! And every bit was delicious.

Today is Christmas. And when you have a tween and a teen, who both still enjoy the season, it is always a full day. Today was spent putting together Santa's present...a trampoline! Oh, my!

Every one is tired tonight, but all content with all the time we have spent with one another.

Another week of interesting moments

We tried to go to the State Fair on Columbus day; however, the traffic was so crazy we changed our plans in mid-stream. We wound up at Cromer's for corn dogs and did a bit of shopping at the "good" Target.

That Wednesday, we finally made it to the fair. We took a picture of Chloe with her displayed photograph. She really liked the photo that came in first place. Of course, our favorite thing is the food. We had mini-doughnuts, deep-fried red velvet Oreo cookies, and sausage dogs.

This past Wednesday, the girls and I went to Charlotte to help Dad with a few projects. The girls helped him with his tablet. I'm glad they could help, because I couldn't. lol  I mowed the leaves that had already fallen, but there will be more to mow later.

Friday we had another art class. The girls enjoy them so much. I don't think it is because of the art nearly as much as the horseplay afterward. They are meeting new people and just enjoying themselves.

Saturday we put summer away. Yes, it was time for the pool to come down. We emptied most of the water last weekend. This weekend we dried and folded it before putting it back in the garage. It is always a little sad when we have to put it away.

Today, was un-Thanksgiving in the Morgan household. We had turkey, sage dressing, cranberry sauce, and a pecan pie. We totally forgot the green beans, but we made up for at dinner by eating a Caesar salad.

Father's Day and an unexpected trip

I think John quite enjoyed his Father's Day. Chloe bought him a mini LEGO-like elephant from the zoo. (He really liked the tiger she bought herself awhile back, so she thought he needed his own.) She also made him a rainbow loom Hulk (see it resting on his shirt?). Jesse bought him a new lighter shaped like a fishing rod. And I bought him a new Avengers t-shirt and a new spatula for the grill. His other spatula broke at a work function, while he was cooking. Someone threw away the spatula part, but saved the wooden handle. People are just dumb.

Monday, John was leaving for a work trip to Charleston. He left something at home, so on our way to meet friends at the zoo, we dropped it off at his office. We didn't get a mile from his work, when my friend sent us a text they were not going to make it to the zoo. Since we were just there with John a week ago, we decided not to go. I told Jesse to call her Dad and let him know we were not going (he was worried about us going anyway, because of the heat). He told me to go home and call him when we got there. So I did.

I called him and he informed me the hotel he was going to be staying at accepts pets. And wanted to know if we wanted to go with him. Well, of course we did! So, we had 2 1/2 hours to get ready. Not only did we need to pack, but I needed to do a load of laundry, move some plants to the raised bed so I could leave the drip hose on the plants and take the trash. We managed to be ready just in time for his arrival home. We had lunch then headed down the road to Charleston. We had a great time. We strolled through the Market, swam in the hotel pool, went to a dog park that was just a mile from the hotel, and generally had a good time.

At the dog park

At the kids play park
 

Since we missed starting school on Tuesday, I've decided we'll start Monday. I don't see starting on a Thursday as a good idea at all. lol

Happy Earth Day!

I had big plans for Earth day. In fact, I had been planning for a couple of weeks. But alas the best laid plans. Chloe started coughing yesterday morning, and by last night her throat was very sore. This morning she was diagnosed with strep. So, no Earth day plans and no school. Rest is what she has been doing.

Jesse has been bored all day and making sure I know it. I've been working on some projects that didn't get done over the weekend because I was helping John with a yard project.

The yard project is a raised garden bed. All the wood has been stained (Avalanche-white) and the boards have been pre-drilled. We just have to put it in place, fill it with dirt and plants. Then we're off! I'm hoping we'll get it finished this weekend. We are also hoping to get the pool area re-leveled. So much yard work! lol 

We spent Saturday at my parents' house. We were celebrating quite a few things: Easter, Mother's Day and our anniversary. My Mom dyed eggs with girls. I've decided that next I'm getting my Mom her own eggs to dye; she kept taking the girls! lol

I've lost count with how many times Hank has been to my parents now. But I think he is feeling comfortable.

First day of 2014

Day one of the new year is almost over. We spent the day in Edgefield. I enjoyed lunch with the girls (John sat with his Mom in another room), our niece Morgan and nephew Scott. They are always entertaining. Sonny took a family photo, because we forgot to take one at Christmas. Can you believe I forgot to take my camera? Unbelievable. lol